Circuit arrangements for transmitting signals such as ringing signals to subscribersto an automatic telephone system



A118'- g M58 s. VAN MIERLo ETAL CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNAL-S SUCH AS RINGING SIGNALS TO SUBSCRIBERS TO AN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM4 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1953 nv'enpr S- VAN N HERLO C- WEULL. NLC E BATAILLE BMM* Attorney Allg. 5, 1958 s. VAN Mn-:RLo ETAL 2,846,513

CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNLS SUCH AS RINGING SIGNALS T0 SUBSCRIBERS T0 .AN

AU'IOVLI'IC TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Sept. 4, 1953 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 *C S3 IMPULSE GENERATOR O S5 DISTRIBUTOR Inventor 5. VAN MLERLO C-WELLL B MOE-BATAILLE All@ 5, 1958 s. VAN MIERLO ETAL 2,846,513

CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FORTRANSMITTING SIGNALS SUCH AS RINGING SGNALS TO SUBSCRlBERS TO AN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Sept. 4, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /ooV V Y fm2/29u l LJ LJ 1 LJ u /so'l Inventor s. VAN M :EQLO C. WEILL. M-C E BATAILLE W? ttorney United States Patent G CIRCUIT ARRANGENIENTS FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS SUCH AS RINGING SIGNALS TO SUB- SCRIBERS T AN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM Stanislas Van Mierlo, Camille Weill, and Maurice Camille Eugne Bataille, Paris, France, assiguors to International Standard Electric Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 4, 1953, Serial No. 378,448

Claims priority, application France September 5, 1952 2 Claims. (Cl. 179-84) The present invention relates to circuit arrangements for transmitting signals and more particularly circuit arrangements for transmitting ringing signals to subscribers substation of an automatic telephone system.

In automatic telephone systems used up to date and in automatic telephone systems utilizing electronic switching devices, expensive equipments necessitating, for example, an amplifying element, such as a gas triode or a thyratron, for each subscribers line circuit have been used for the transmission of the ringing signal to the called substation.

According to one of the features of the invention, a circuit arrangement for transmitting a ringing signal to the substations of an automatic telephone system comprises in combination; means for producing a ringing signal of suitable amplitude and frequency, means such as a distributing circuit, for applying successively and during predetermined time intervals the said ringing current to a plurality of output terminals, switching means common to a plurality of subscribers lines adapted for applying simultaneously the ringing vcurrents obtained to a plurality of output terminals of the said distributing circuit respectively to an equal number of called lines.

According to another feature of the invention, in such an arrangement, the switching means are constituted by a switch of the type known as cross-bar, the switching horizontal multiples of which are connected to diiierent output terminals of the distributor and the vertical multiples of which are connected to various subscribers lines.

According to another feature of the invention, each subscribers line of a group of a hundred lines is connected to two output terminals of a cross-bar switch by means of a potential coincidence detection electronic gate having two input terminals connected respectively to two output terminals of the switch and an output terminal connected to the corresponding line, the said electronic gate being provided in such a way as not to permit the passage of ringing current towards the line except when the said ringing current is simultaneously applied to its input terminals from the said switch.

According to another feature of the invention, in such an arrangement, the vertical multiples of the switch are divided into two groups, one of the groups corresponding to the units digit of the group of subscribers lines and the other group corresponding to the tens digit, the input terminals of the electronic gates associated with the subscribers lines being connected respectively to an output terminal of each group, means being besides also provided for connecting the two vertical multiples corresponding to a called subscriber of the same horizontal multiple.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical circuit arrangement for transmitting ringing signals to the subscribers to an automatic telephone system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 2,846,513 Fatented Aug. 5, 1958 a circuit arrangement for transmitting ringing signals to an automatic telephone systems subscribers comprising reduced number of elements individual to each line.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from a reading of the following description of embodiments, the said description being given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a device for distributing ringing signals incorporating features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a generator of ringing current used in connection with Fig. l;

Fig. 3 represents controlling circuits for the device which transmits ringing current shown in Fig. l, and

Fig. 4 represents wave shapes in diiierent points of the circuit of Fig. 3.

There is shown in Fig. 1 a line circuit for an automatic telephone system using switching electronic devices. The

subscribers station has been shown schematically by a rectangle 1 and onlythe ringing device 2 and the switch hook 3 have been shown. The resistances 4 and 5 represent the line resistance and the resistances 6, 7 and 8 represent 'the leaks which may take place in an underground cable. The values which are indicated for the line resistance are average values and the values which are indicated for the leaks represent very unfavourable conditions which may take place in the case of an underground cable. The line circuit represented comprises a transformer 9 which is necessary for reasons independent of the present invention, such as the separation of the direct current circuits or the impedance matching. The secondary winding 10 of the transformer 9 is connected within the central exchange which has been shown schematically by means of the rectangle 11. There is shown in 12 at the subscribers station, a resistance which represents the impedance of the telephone set. When the line is not looped, that is to say when the switch hook 3 is in position a. the diode 14 is blocked and the potential of point 13 is near to the potential of the ground: when the subscriber lifts his telephone set, the potential of point 13 passes to -40 volts. This potential variation during the unhooking of the telephone set may also be used for detecting calls, as this is well known in the art.

The ringing current generator is represented schematically in Fig. 2. lt comprises an impulse generator 15 which supplies rectangular impulses at 20 periods per second. The amplitude of these impulses varies between volts to +150 volts. The output impulses of generator 1S are applied to a distribute-r 16 which applies the input impulses successively, during 0.8 second, to the ve output terminals S1, S2, S3, S4 and SS, the distribution cycle thus taking place during four seconds. Such a distributor may be realized either by means of an electronic distributor or by a mechanical device comprising, for instance, contacts controlled by cams carried by a shaft driven into rotation by means of a motor.

Each line circuit (Fig. l) is associated, from the point of View of the ringing current transmission, with an electronic gate comprising three diodes 17, 18, 19 which may for example be selenium diodes. A diode Ztl is also provided for avoiding the leaks through the primary winding 21 of the transformer and the resistance 22. The points 23 and 24 are connected permanently through resistances, such as 25 and 26 of the order of 2,000 ohms, to the negative terminal of a battery 27 of 90 volts. If there is applied to one of the points 23 or 24 (point 23 for instance), the impulses obtained at one of the output terminals of the distributor 16 (Fig. 2), whereby point 23 is brought to volts, the current Hows in the following circuit: resistance 28 in parallel with the diode 1S, presenting a high resistance, resistance 29 in parallel with line: If-"on'e` appliesV thel impulses' obtained at one of the` output terminals of' the distributor 16 simultaneousl'yto points23and"24, assuming a'suitah'le choice of the value of resistances 28, 29 and 36, there is obtained at point 30 a'jpotentiall near 60'vo1ts when the points 23' and 24:A are brought to' -Fl50'vol`tslow resistance, and there are obtained on the line at point impulses of the order of; 6G volts,.according to the rhythm of the distributor 16. In a particular embodiment the' resistance 36'has avalueof 6,000.0hms'and/ the resistances`2f8ian'd 29v have each a value of 12,000 ohm's.

The' device used4 for applying'the impulses obtained at one of the output terminals of the distributorlv (Fig. 2') toone ofthe lines will now he described'.

UseA is made for this purpose of'a' switch ofthezcrossbar typewhich has been shown schematically'inFig. 1. However, there have not beenY shown in this 'gurethe blocking devices which are also Well known inV the art, no1` the controlling electro-magnets of the horizontal and vertical bars. The switch used: comprises ve horizontal b'a'rs and two groups of ten vertical bars. The tive hori. zontal bars correspond respectively to the tive` output ter'- min'alsV S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 of the distributor 16 ('Fig.12`). The' horizontal multiples are shown invv Fig. l atA 31, 32', 3'3,A 34' and 35; Each multiple, such as 32; comprises two diodes, such as 37 and 38, connected to an outputA terminal, such as S2, of thedistributor` 16. (Fig. V2'). The' common points of the diodes 39-40, 41.-42, 43;-44 andl 45'-46 are likewise connectedV respectively to: the output terminals S1, S3, S4 and SVS of theA distributor 16 (Fig. 2). The pairs of diodes divide the horizontal multiple into two parts, which are respectivelyv controlled byv tenV vertical bars. The vertical multiples correspond'- ing tothe'tens; 10,Y 20 andAA 00 areVA shown at` 47,48; and 49; yand the vertical multiples corresponding' to; the units, 1,' 2 and 0 are shown at 50, 51, and 52. `It is assumed' thatthe subscriber whose line' circuit isshown in Fig; l is the subscriber 21 and that the necessary ringingicurrent is obtained as from the terminal S2 of the distributor 16. The points 23 and 24 of the line` circuit are respectively connected toY the output terminalsV D and U01' of the switch. For applying the ringing current to this line', the horizontal and vertical bars' are operated in a well known manner to close contacts c2.2 and 02.1 which remain closed under the control lof the controlling electro-magnet of the corresponding horizontal bar. The impulses obtained at the output terminal S2 of the distributor 1'6are therefore applied simultaneously to the terminals 23 and 24, so that, as explained above, the ringing current is transmitted on the line towards. the' called substation.

The ringing current has been transmitted', in thecase considered, as from .the output terminal'SZ' of the distributor 16 (Fig. 2), but it is obvious that it would have been possible totransmit the ringing current from another output terminal of the distributor, Whilst causing the operation of another horizontal bar of the switch.L

Itis understood that the device shown is common to a group' of 100 circuits of subscribers hues, each linecircuit having two terminals, such as 23 and. 24, which are connected respectively to the output terminals of the switch corresponding to the tens digit and to the units. digit of the line number. The device shown in Fig. 1

permits the transmission of the ringing current simul-v taneously toive subscribers lines; however, it is obvious` that, if the traffic conditions would necessitate it, one could use av switch comprising a greater number of horizontal circuits associated with one or several distributors The diode 17` then presents' a' l comprising-on theYwh'oleauy equalv number of# output' terminals. As maybe noted, the lines to which the ringing current is applied receive the current successively. Which of the output terminals; oft; the.V distributor 16 l(Fig. 2) is used to transmit the ringingV current toa subscriber is' obviously immaterialihowever; itlr isrxnecessary to.A provide means forclioesing a'tree' output@ terminal of` the distributorandV lock'andmairrtin the correspondingfliorizontal bar.

There is shownriniFig; 3' an`y embodiment of azcontrol` circuitV ofthe' electno-magnets ofc the horizontal bary of the switch.- @nlythe' circuitsl corresponding to"Y three' of the electro-magnets have been-shown; that'- is, the electromagnets B1\, B2, B5 corresponding. tothe horizontal bars 1, 2 and 5. The recurrentirnpulses F1, F2, F3, F21 and F5" (Fig. 4)- are applied'to thecorrsponding.terminals of Fig. 3 which have ,beemdesignated by the same references.V Likewise, the recurrent impulses F6, F7, F8, F9 and F0 are. applied tol the corresppndingtermi-nals of Fig., 3. The. impulses FI-FS have. each a. duration of. one millisecondQand. their. amplitude passes from +50 volts to volts. They. normally have no inluence on the cold cathode tubes. 619-65..-in'view ofthe fact thatthe ter-I ninal60.` isnormally. brought-.to +50 volts, asis shownat 60 inl-fig.. 4.. Wheirit isv desired to. light one.` ofthe col'dcahode tubes. and.to feed theelectromagnet connected in. itsfanode` ciIcuit,-. an: impulse 015.105 volts; of a. duration o 6. milliseconds 4. is applied. toV the terminal' 60,`Whi'ch periodl of time is slightly greater than the. duration:v of. theA scanningcycle of: thex tive cold cathode tubes... During thetime of. thisrnpulse, thetirst impulse, F1, F2, E3, F24, F5, applied. tofan extinguished.-

coldcathode. t1`1be,.rcai.1sesl thelightingof this tube.f It

willrbe assumed, for example, that theterminals ll-andf positive. and-.light this tube; The relay B2 then. operatesv in the anodecircuit. of thetube.. 62. As. soon4 ask the tube 62 lightsfup;itsaanodepotential falls vnear 1.001volts. As the electro-magnet. B2 .does not open. its` back. Contact immediately, this drop of potential is 4transmitted through the condenser 68 to...the. blockingline 69, softhatV the triggering electrodes of the other tubesare broughtfto a potential suciently low` fon avoiding. the lighting. up; of these tubes. The time during; which` this' potential isv applied. must be. at. the minimum equal to thev duration ofthe lighting impulse.. v

. In 1Eig. 4,',the potentialv of.. the block-ingline' isfshown at 69, and-itfhas been assumed. thatthis blocking po tential Was to be applied dur-ing] milliseconds, thus conditioning theopera-tion oft-he electro-magnets; When the electro-magnetis-actuatecL itremains at work duringl the application. of the ringing; current tothel subscribersV line. Irl-order. tof cause the: unblocking,- itis necessary tocausethe extinctionof-the tube that. is. lit by means ofextinction; circuitsf-associatedlrwith thetubes which circuitsy have been-vrepresentednonthe left. hand side lof Fig.. 3. EachI circuitcomprises three-diodes 70, 7-1, 72 connected ini-order' to constitute? an electronic gate.. Recurrent impulses, asfrepresentedfinFig., 4, aref applied to theV terminals F6', F7, 1,:"85-1393` F0. The control-ter# minal 73 isnormallyfY brought; tot lSOfvolts, so: that the negative: impulses vapplied, 4for exampl'e, to-the`y terminal F7 Vare w-ithoutanyV eiect on the anode. of the tube 62.the potential-.ofpoint 74 remainingnear' 150l volts.. If thereis applied avv negative impulsesuchas that .shown at-73' (Fig. 4), .atthefterminal 73, the diode 72 is blocked and the point F7 is then broughtqtoa potential near Ovolts.- Under these conditionsg, the diode 70 presents p a low resistance and: thefpoten-tial.. ofwtheanode, showny at A (Fig. 4)= falls at a. valuenearl 5.0 volts, so that the tube is extinguished. It'is lunderstood. thatrfor extinguishing. a tube it is. sufficient to apply to the terminal 73 a negative impulse of suitable amplitude and duration in coincidence with the impulse applied to that of the terminals F6 to F0 which corresponds to this tube. The controlling of the electro-magnets of the vertical bars may be made from the number of the subscriber to whom the ringing current must be transmitted, which number is recorded in the common control circuit. Likewise, the choice of the horizontal bar which is to be released is made from the said common control circuit. Common control circuits which may be used with the circuit of the present invention have already been described and their adaptation to the circuit described is well known to those skilled in the art.

While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific embodiments and particular modifications thereof, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A circuit arrangement for transmitting a ringing signal to the subscribers lines of an automatic telephone exchange system comprising a plurality of lines, a predetermined lesser number of terminals, means for producing a ringing signal of suitable amplitude and frequency, distributing means for applying said ringing signal successively during predetermined time intervals to said terminals, switching means common to said plurality of lines adapted for connecting any number of said terminals to a corresponding number of said lines during the same period, said switching means comprising a crossbar switch, the switching horizontal multiples of which are connected respectively to said terminals and the vertical multiples of which are connected respectively to said lines, the vertical multiples of said switch being divided into two groups, one of the groups corresponding respectively to the units digits of said lines and the other group corresponding respectively to the tens digits, and an electronic coincidence gating circuit for each line connected between said line and sald switching means, said gating circuit having two input circuits connected respectively to vertical multiples of said two groups and adapted to operate to pass the ringing signal to the associated line only when said ringing signal appears on both input circuits, said switch being adapted to connect the two vertical multiples corresponding to a called line to the same horizontal multiple.

2. A circuit arrangement for transmitting a ringing signal to the subscribers lines of an automatic telephone exchange system comprising a plurality of lines, a predetermined lesser number of terminals, means for producing a ringing signal of suitable amplitude and frequency, distributing means for applying said ringing signal successively during predetermined time intervals to said terminals, switching means common to said plurality of lines adapted for connecting any number of said terminals to a corresponding number of said lines during the same time period, a gating circuit connected between each said line and said switching means, said gating circuit having two input circuits connected to said switching means and adapted to operate to pass the ringing signal only when said signal is applied to both said input circuits, said switching means having two groups of additional terminals, one group corresponding respectively to the tens digits of said lines and the other group corresponding respectively to the units digits of said lines, the input circuits of each gating circuit being connected to the corresponding tens and units additional terminals of said two groups, and means in said switching means for connecting an output terminal carrying the ringing signal to a pair of said additional terminals, one from each group, corresponding to a called line.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

